Planning on getting into bow hunting for next season (2017). This is all new and looking for advice on where to buy, what to buy, and everything I may need to get rolling. I've spoken to guys at academy and bass pro, but not sure to trust salesman (I generally have a problem with that) so I wanted to check in here from they guys/gals who actually know their stuff. I'm 45 and looking to spend no more than 5-6 hundred. I'm also left handed if that matters. Thanks for helping out

The only thing left handed means is there are fewer of your items in stock at any given time. You can get a decent bow at BP or Cabella's and it may or may not get set up and pre-tuned well. You however really need to get started right and a pro shop will probably be a better starting point for you. Your draw length, your accessories and arrows will fit you and your set up. Most will also give you some coaching and practice sessions as well.

When choosing a bow start with what is your dominate eye, it may not necessarily be on the same side as your dominate hand. Choose the bow by your hand.

There are quite a few good quality bows in your price range Diamond, Mission, PSE, and Quest all come to mind. There are also some bows made by Bowtech for Cabela's and Bass Pro that are very good bows to start with, these bows have full backing of their manufacture Bowtech.

When starting the fitting for a bow draw length measurement will be taken and the bow will be set to that, not that does not necessarily that is where it will end up at there are variables not taken up in a simple measurement and the bow should be adjusted to fit properly. With new shooters this sometimes will change after you get some experience from shooting anchor points may change as well as grip affecting the actual draw length needed.

Try several bows in your price range and let the bow tell you which one feels better. There are difference of different models you may like and others you don't.

As to where to get your bow. Shop around do your research and go where you are comfortable. There are some people in some Cabela's and Bass Pro that know their stuff and can set the bow up right for you and others that cannot, but have seen the same thing from some bow shops as well. When being given instruction listen and follow it you can learn a lot in a few minutes if you open your mind to learn.

When choosing a bow start with what is your dominate eye, it may not necessarily be on the same side as your dominate hand. Choose the bow by your hand.

There are quite a few good quality bows in your price range Diamond, Mission, PSE, and Quest all come to mind. There are also some bows made by Bowtech for Cabela's and Bass Pro that are very good bows to start with, these bows have full backing of their manufacture Bowtech.

When starting the fitting for a bow draw length measurement will be taken and the bow will be set to that, not that does not necessarily that is where it will end up at there are variables not taken up in a simple measurement and the bow should be adjusted to fit properly. With new shooters this sometimes will change after you get some experience from shooting anchor points may change as well as grip affecting the actual draw length needed.

Try several bows in your price range and let the bow tell you which one feels better. There are difference of different models you may like and others you don't.

As to where to get your bow. Shop around do your research and go where you are comfortable. There are some people in some Cabela's and Bass Pro that know their stuff and can set the bow up right for you and others that cannot, but have seen the same thing from some bow shops as well. When being given instruction listen and follow it you can learn a lot in a few minutes if you open your mind to learn.

Bow hunting tips:1. Work on your archery form2.Supertune your equipment3.Practice by shooting some 3D courses4.Hunt according to the wind5.Become a friend with Google Earth6.Try using tarsal glands for an attractant7.Hunt midday periods during the rut

I don't know as much as the rest of the archers on here, but I do know a little bit about the Mission bows (made by Mathew's).

They are sweet! I shot a Mission Menace, their first youth bow, from 2009/10 up until last year. Not sure if this is good on my part, but I never needed to replace the string or do any tune ups; just waxed my bowstring and made sure servings, rest bristles, and nocking point were all maintained. Now, the Mission line has increased significantly. Before I went to Mathew's, I was looking at the Ballistic (now they have the Ballistic 2.0, with shorter ATA). My pro shop (West Houston Archery) told me that the original Ballistic was their most sold bow...that's saying something for a place that has the entire Mathew's, Hoyt, and Mission hunting lines up on their hangers. I drew back the bow at maxed out poundage--75ish--and didn't get to shoot it, but it was a decent cycle. That's up to you, though.

As kmon1 said, try a variety of bows. My dad bought his upgrade from a 1995 Browning Timberwolf in 2011, for $1200 with a $600 budget. Originally, we went to Bass Pro Shop to get the Diamond flag ship--he loved that bow. Then, we went to WHA and he shot the Z7Extreme and it was all over, price list and my research and spreadsheets down the drain, lol. I'm not saying to double your budget. All I'm saying is pick the bow that you feel calling to you, and mentally prepare yourself in case you exceed your budget.

You need to talk to bow hunters and find a GOOD reputable bow shop, wish I could help but I live in N.C.You can always start with a used bow at least half the price of a new one.shoot a lot of different bows and see what fits you best. if the bow doesn't fit you, you won't shoot it well. Forrest

I went to a local pro shop and he let me shoot a bowtech fuel, which I guess was a youth bow (I think), but he recommended it as a first bow because of the large draw ranges (14-70). Felt smooth, easy, I was just glad I hit the paper at 15 yards for first time ever shooting one. I also shot a Mathews, not sure of model though, it definitely felt like not a youth bow, that thing wanted to shoot the arrow quickly, not a lot of rest time on draw back, but it was more my inexperience than anything. I did learn that this will be a costly new hobby!

It can be a costly hobby but during the last ammo shortage there were still plenty of arrows. The youth bows / grow with bows are generally pretty smooth and forgiving but lack some of the speed of adult bows and as you go up in price on those fit and durability improves but weight adjust range goes down with many of the higher end bows having a 10lb weight adjustment range.

Get a bow to fit you and hitting paper or an apple at 15 yards is not hard with a bit of good instruction.

1. find a good bow shop, not box store. you should get more selection. 2. Shoot as many bows as you can.3. The bow that fees the best is the one you want. A good bow tech with talk to you about the feel of the bow. the draw, the valley, the hold while at full draw, what you feel on/after the release of the arrow. you narrow down what is most important for you and the bow that does that the best has picked you.

As for bows..1. Mission line up are great starter bows and some shops have packages "ready to hunt" well with in your range. These bows are usually less expensive due to the one size fits all(draw weight is usually 20 to 55/70, draw length is 13-30, both examples)

Next two options are more fit to you in terms of Draw length and you need cams/mods to change draw length.2. Mathews Z3.. a mid level priced bow that shoots a lot better. A little more than your with the range ready to hunt package3. Hoyt PowerMax (last year model was the Charger) another option in a mid range bow with a lower price point, might be a touch over the 600 "ready to hunt"

I am not too sure of the offerings of the other bow companies as above is what my shop carries. I also didn't address the "box" stores because my early experience with them did not go well and I would prefer not to recommend those type of shops..other folks may have different opinions.

Post up were you are located and i am sure some guys will chime in with where to go. I have my favorite shop, and I am really biased toward them, but I also know of a few really good shops around Texas.

Don't think you have to spend a couple grand on the latest and greatest bow. Like someone else said cabelas has some good functional deals on bows. I'm shooting a parker package bow from cabelas I got when I was in college. Its far from new and isn't the newest design but it works.

Cabelas did a pretty good job of setting it up for me and ive never had trouble out of it. My dad 54 years old decided he wanted to pick up bow hunting last year and bought one of their recent package bows and it shoots great as well.